Mount Carmel Academy

    MOUNT CARMEL ACADEMY, 7027 Milne Blvd., New Orleans – Armed with new textbooks and brightly colored binders on my first day of school as a senior, I (Caitlin Brimer ’13) take a deep, nostalgic breath and open the doors to Mount Carmel Academy. Instantly, the magnetic spirit of Carmel rushes through me. Girls fill the hallways and overflow with laughter, joy, and hugs.
    We eagerly welcome new Cubs to the Mount Carmel Academy family. All grades participate in a special retreat each year. Seniors present a brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to their little sisters, symbolizing our choice to follow Jesus as Mary, his mother, did. The tradition unites us as sisters of Carmel.
    Prayer is an integral part of our education. We pray faithfully throughout the day reminding us that Jesus is our protector and friend. This is the mission of the Carmelite Order and the mission of our school. I look forward to the weekly Mass in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary for a chance to bond with God. The Campus Ministry hosts candlelight rosaries throughout the year at our grotto.
    As the year progresses, an array of “We Are Proud of You” stickers will embellish the lockers, displaying the achievements of each girl. Sister of Mount Carmel Camille Anne Campbell, president/principal, received the 2012 AdvancED Excellence in Education Award for inspiring a love of knowledge, a dedication to service, and a sense of community in all the students and educators she encounters. Mount Carmel Academy was named for the fourth time as one of the Top 50 Catholic high schools in the United States by the Catholic High School Honor Roll.
    While technology continues to quickly advance, Mount Carmel Academy has kept in step to feature the newest equipment for teaching and learning. The fully equipped network of 688 PC computers were updated to the latest models, and we acquired 78 new iMacs, 330 iPads, and 70 Apple TVs, which are available for classroom use at any time. Teachers received intensive training in the use of the iPad, researching for applications in content areas.
    The academic program provides a college-prep track, honors track, AP courses and college prep curriculum elective courses. The curriculum follows the Common Core State Standards, ensuring that the students are prepared for the challenge of 21st century skills for their futures. The daily schedule is structured to provide students the opportunity for help in the English, science, or math lab staffed with teachers.
    Service to the community, to others and, most importantly, to God, is a vital part of a Mount Carmel Academy education. Ample opportunities are available to volunteer. Each Mount Carmel senior will graduate with at least 205 hours dedicated to service, though most girls exceed this number by hundreds. In 2012, Today’s Catholic Teacher awarded Mount Carmel an Innovations in Education Award for outstanding dedication to the community, specifically through the “Cubs in Action” service program.
    Mount Carmel Academy offers more than 60 extracurricular activities from nationally ranked dance teams to eight academic honor societies to various vocal groups. There truly is a club for every person as well as a wide variety of winning sports teams, including cross country, volleyball, basketball, tennis, track, indoor track, softball and golf. Our varsity soccer team won the state championship, and our varsity volleyball team was state runner-up. Athletes have the opportunity to use one of three gyms and state-of-the-art workout equipment.
    Uniquely, Mount Carmel features a large guidance department, staffing eight full-time guidance counselors, a full-time secretary, and a college and financial aid coordinator dedicated to assisting students through the college application and selection process, including working to attain financial aid and academic scholarships. The guidance department meets with students individually and in groups to discuss pertinent matters. Using an online program called Naviance, the college application process is explained and simplified, both for students and parents. The website has been a great resource for me to not only search and decide on college prospects but also to apply for scholarships.
    For me, Mount Carmel Academy proves to be unlike any other school because we grow to be not just sisters, but sisters in Christ.